Andy O'Brien

O'Brien made his international debut for Ireland shortly after completing his move to Newcastle United.

A tenacious defender, O'Brien boosted his chances of taking part in the Japan and South Korea World Cup after enjoying a fantastic season with Newcastle United in the Premiership.

He learnt his central defensive trade with Bradford City where he made 150 senior appearances.

Whilst with the Valley Paraders, he played for England Under-21s against France in 1999.

The son of an Irish father, O'Brien decided to switch allegiance the following year when he appeared for the Republic's Under-21s against Sweden.

His full international debut duly arrived during the World Cup qualifying campaign, shortly after completing his £2million move to Newcastle United where he was signed by the former England boss, Sir Bobby Robson.

O'Brien's ability to give his opposing forwards little room to manoeuvre, as he is said to be 'all over them', he has earned the nickname of 'Rash'.

O'Brien joined Portsmouth in June 2005 with a four-year contract.

He joined Bolton Wanderers in August 2007 with a two-year contract that was extended to June 2011.

After a loan spell, O'Brien joined Leeds United in January 2011 with a contract to June 2013 but was made available for transfer in May 2012.

Club history

Team

Joined

Left

Loan / Trialist

Bradford City

28 Oct 1996

19 Mar 2001

Newcastle United

19 Mar 2001

13 Jun 2005

Portsmouth

13 Jun 2005

13 Aug 2007

Bolton Wanderers

13 Aug 2007

01 Jan 2011

Leeds United

29 Oct 2010

31 Dec 2010

L

Leeds United

01 Jan 2011

02 Aug 2012

Vancouver Whitecaps

02 Aug 2012

Club stats

Season

Team

Competition

Apps

Subs

Goals

Y

R

1996-97

Bradford City

FA Cup

2

1999-00

Bradford City

FA Cup

2

1999-00

Bradford City

League Cup

2

1999-00

Bradford City

Premier League

36

1

2

2000-01

Bradford City

FA Cup

1

2000-01

Bradford City

Premier League

17

1

1

2000-01

Bradford City

UEFA Intertoto Cup

4

2000-01

Newcastle United

Premier League

9

1

2001-02

Newcastle United

FA Cup

4

1

1

2001-02

Newcastle United

League Cup

3

1

1

2001-02

Newcastle United

Premier League

31

3

2

3

2001-02

Newcastle United

UEFA Intertoto Cup

1

2002-03

Newcastle United

FA Cup

1

2002-03

Newcastle United

Premier League

26

1

2002-03

Newcastle United

UEFA Champions League

11

1

2003-04

Newcastle United

FA Cup

1

2003-04

Newcastle United

Premier League

27

1

1

2

2

2003-04

Newcastle United

UEFA Champions League

2

2

2003-04

Newcastle United

UEFA Cup

10

1

1

2004-05

Newcastle United

FA Cup

1

2

1

2004-05

Newcastle United

League Cup

1

2004-05

Newcastle United

Premier League

21

2

2

3

2004-05

Newcastle United

UEFA Cup

9

2

1

2005-06

Portsmouth

FA Cup

2

2005-06

Portsmouth

League Cup

1

2005-06

Portsmouth

Premier League

29

2006-07

Portsmouth

League Cup

2

2006-07

Portsmouth

Premier League

1

2

2007-08

Bolton Wanderers

FA Cup

1

2007-08

Bolton Wanderers

League Cup

1

2007-08

Bolton Wanderers

Premier League

31

1

5

2007-08

Bolton Wanderers

UEFA Cup

7

1

1

2008-09

Bolton Wanderers

FA Cup

1

2008-09

Bolton Wanderers

League Cup

1

2008-09

Bolton Wanderers

Premier League

30

4

1

5

2009-10

Bolton Wanderers

FA Cup

2

1

2009-10

Bolton Wanderers

Premier League

6

2010-11

Bolton Wanderers

League Cup

1

2010-11

Bolton Wanderers

Premier League

1

1

2010-11

Leeds United

FA Cup

2

2010-11

Leeds United

League Championship

30

2

6

2011-12

Leeds United

League Championship

2

2

1

2011-12

Leeds United

League Cup

2

Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.